§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many circuit judges were appointed from the solicitors' profession in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97 and (f) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [109578]
§ Mr. LockThe information requested is set out in the table. 517W
Number of circuit judges from the solicitors profession appointed in the financial year Total number of circuit judges appointed in the financial year 1992–93 10 50 1993–94 5 45 1994–95 6 32 1995–96 16 53 1996–97 4 37 1997–98 3 25 The Lord Chancellor welcomes applications from both solicitors and barristers to be considered for appointment to the Circuit Bench. He considers that the skills and experience needed to be a Judge may as well be shown by a successful litigation solicitor as by an experienced barrister. The Lord Chancellor wants to appoint the Judges with the best potential—regardless of whether they come from the ranks of barristers or solicitors.